Aibu/wwyd - screaming child

[SM1234]

Hi

I really would like some help with this situation....

I live in a small one bed flat, it’s an old block and solid concrete/breeze block built so not paper thin walls.

The neighbours downstairs have a child aged between 2-3 which screams to the point it is gagging on its cries for hours on end. Last night it started about 10 and went on until around 1, it screams and screams getting itself more and more distresssed.

It’s a very small flat, one bed converted into two bed, so you can shout from one room to the next. The parents just shout at the child to “shut the f*k up you little cnt” at the top of their voices and don’t go in to settle the child. If they do get up, amongst their shouting, they bang and crash around.

I am really struggling to know what to do, I’m concerned for the child and I’m seriously sleep deprived.

The father is a very agggressive character and I’m scared to knock and talk to them and the mother never speaks, even if I do see her on her own.

Friends of mine suggest social services but that sounds like I being VU, I’m aware children do cry and parents do get annoyed. However this has been going on for about a year. What would you do?

Thanks

SM1234

Don't talk to the parents that could make it worse for the child and you.

Report them, verbal abuse isn't acceptable and it's constant by your description and there's no way to know for sure if physical abuse is also occurring but social services should be able to get to the bottom of it.

I'd try using your phone to record their shouting and language for evidence.

I reported a neighbour for emotional and verbal abuse to their children and I suspected physical abuse as well. Never regretted that decision.

I work in child protection/social services and would report this in a heartbeat. Not just because treating a child like that is awful and horrifically damaging, but also because what you can hear is likely indicative of a much bigger issue. Poor, poor kid.

You could also call the NSPCC hotline for advice if you think that might be helpful.

Poor baby is calling for someone to be there, thank fuck you will by calling SS OP because he is terrible time with his parents. Try and record them if you can.

Stuff like this upsets me so deeply! I would be calling ss this second.

SM
Did you report it?

Thanks everyone for the advice. I reported the situation to SS and they were very helpful. Fingers crossed the family will get the help needed.

Without a doubt SS & HA or LL if you know who owns it.

Be prepared for SS to be dismissive, ask daft questions, maintain you can't possibly know just from hearing what's going on. But if you've reported it then it's out of your hands.

Another option if baby has been screaming say 30 minutes and the parents are screaming obscenities call 101 and report it. I don't know if they'll do anything but again you've done something.

I recall a similar situation when eldest was a toddler. We were in houses with windows shut, I could hear the woman over the way have a go at DC as they felt sick, proper high pitched 'you little bastard disturbing my sleep' it made me feel physically sick that anyone could speak to a child like that. Maybe it's just me.

Ooh and HV. Drop into conversation about DC and what's happening. She'll no doubt want to keep an eye on things.

Good luck OP. I'd say if it continues, keep a log and keep reporting, take down names of people you speak to.

A friend had a really shitty upbringing, I don't even know if we had SS then. But she always said everyone knew, so why did no one do anything.

If it happens again tonight I would call the police.

SM - you've done the right thing.

Report it.

Yes, children do cry. But good, non abusive, parents don’t scream at them to shut up every night, especially not using such colourful language. You really should report it.

Also don't think just the one call to social services will fix the problem . If it continues or escalates ring them again as my experience is that not a lot happens from just one phone call